Resolving ODBC 64 bit Driver References

This article is relevant if you are considering working with ODBC Drivers on Microsoft’s Windows 7+ environments.

Background

In my work with our clients on the NetSuite platform, many activate the ODBC capacities to get to their data for enhanced reporting.  ODBC is usually a straightforward configuration as it has been around for at least two decades (I remember first working with it in the early 1990’s).

NetSuite offers a 32 bit ODBC driver to those customers that activate the add-on module.  Yet, more and more workstations are using a 64 bit operating system.  The natural inclination is to want to use a 64 bit ODBC driver.  I offer the 64 bit NetSuite license key with instructions here for the driver.  However, I believe many do not need it.

Addendum

On August 1, 2014, I wrote another artice about how NetSuite now supports 64 bit ODBC drivers.  This should be considered and this article is now only for reference.

Activate 32 Bit ODBC Drivers on 64 Bit Workstation

The more I listen to customers with this problem, I recognize that there is a fair amount of confusion now in the marketplace about how to work with these ODBC drivers.  Indeed, you need to be careful because a 32 bit windows application will not work right with a 64 bit ODBC driver.  Sure enough, Microsoft recommends the 32 bit version of Microsoft Office for the highest compatibility.

The good news is that you can work with 32 bit drivers on the 64 bit Windows operating system.  It just is not at all obvious — its really quite confusing.  Here is what to do.

Run the 32 bit ODBC Administrator

A 64-bit version of the Microsoft Windows operating system includes the following versions of the Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) Data Source Administrator tool (Odbcad32.exe):

  • The 32-bit version of the Odbcad32.exe file is located in the %systemdrive%\Windows\SysWoW64 folder.
  • The 64-bit version of the Odbcad32.exe file is located in the %systemdrive%\Windows\System32 folder.

Microsoft has more documentation on this configuration here.

I suspect this choice of layout has caused a fair amount of grief and unneeded cost.  It could have been very easy to add two menu references with 64 bit or 32 bit names.

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Marty Zigman

Holding all three official certifications, Marty is regarded as the top NetSuite expert and leads a team of senior professionals at Prolecto Resources, Inc. He is a former Deloitte & Touche CPA and has held CTO roles. For over 30 years, Marty has produced leadership in ERP, CRM and eCommerce business systems. Contact Marty to set up a conversation.

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